How to Care for Trees During Winter: Indiana Homeowner’s Guide

Winter in Indiana is unpredictable. Freezing temperatures and heavy snow can stress even the healthiest trees on your property. But, with the right care during the dormant season, you can protect your trees from cold weather damage and set them up for vibrant spring growth.

This guide walks through essential winter tree care practices that keep your trees healthy throughout the winter months.

Skip to Winter Tree Care Checklist.

Why Winter Tree Care Matters in Indiana

Trees face unique challenges in the Midwest. For example, fluctuating temperatures can cause bark cracks on young trees. And heavy snow and ice accumulation can break branches. Plus, salt from driveways can seep into soil. So, while trees are dormant above the ground, their roots remain active and vulnerable to winter stressors.

On the bright side, winter is actually one of the best times to care for your trees. During dormancy, trees are less prone to disease-carrying insects, allowing them to heal without stress from other sources, such as pruning wounds. Furthermore, the absence of leaves makes it easier to inspect branch structure and to identify problems.

The bottom line: Proactive winter care prevents costly spring emergencies.

Essential Winter Tree Watering

Many homeowners stop watering once cold weather arrives, but trees (especially evergreens) need moisture throughout the winter. Trees can’t absorb water from frozen soil, yet they continue losing moisture through their bark and needles. This leaves trees vulnerable to frost damage.

See our Guide on Protecting Trees from Frost Damage.

When to Water

Water trees thoroughly in late fall before the ground freezes. In Indiana, this typically means mid-November through early December, depending on your location. Continue watering during winter warm spells when temperatures rise above 40°F and the soil isn’t frozen.

How Much Water

Newly planted trees (less than three years old) need 10–15 gallons per watering. Mature trees benefit from a deep soak that moistens soil 12–18 inches deep. Focus on the area beneath the tree’s canopy, where feeder roots absorb water.

Which Trees Need It Most

• Evergreens like pines, spruces, and arborvitae are most susceptible to moisture loss since they retain their needles.
• Recently planted trees haven’t established extensive root systems yet.
• Trees on south or southwest-facing slopes dry out faster from winter sun exposure.

Signs Your Trees Need Water

Brown needles or leaves, particularly on evergreens, are usually a sign of winter drought stress. Wilting or curling needles and brittle, easily broken twigs indicate moisture deficiency. If you notice these symptoms during a winter thaw, water immediately.

Protecting Trees from Winter Damage

Unfortunately, keeping trees hydrated isn’t enough to protect them from Indiana’s harsh winters, especially for young or thinly barked trees when exposed to cold winds. Proactive planning is the best way to ensure trees stay healthy throughout the coldest season.

Tree Wrapping and Trunk Protection

Sunscald occurs when winter sun warms bark during the day, then temperatures plummet at night, causing cells to rupture.

Young trees and thin-barked species like maples, fruit trees, and newly planted specimens benefit from trunk wraps that prevent sunscald and bark cracks.

To avoid this, wrap trunks with burlap tree wrap or light-colored plastic tree guards from the base up to the lowest branches. It’s best to apply wraps in late fall and remove them in early spring to prevent moisture buildup and pest problems.

Anti-Desiccant Sprays

For evergreens suffering from winter desiccation, anti-desiccant sprays create a protective coating that reduces moisture loss from needles. Apply these sprays on a clear day when temperatures are between 40-50°F, typically in late November and again in late January.

Snow and Ice Management

Heavy snow can snap branches and deform young trees. If you recently received a light dusting or light, fluffy snow, you can gently brush it off branches with an upward motion. But never try to remove ice or packed snow, as you’ll cause more damage by breaking brittle branches.

If heavy snow bends branches, let them naturally spring back as snow melts. Snow-bent branches often recover on their own once weight is removed. For severely damaged limbs showing cracks or splits, call a certified arborist for storm damage repair rather than attempting DIY fixes.

Protection from Wildlife and Herbivores

Deer, rabbits, and voles damage trees by feeding on bark and young shoots during winter when other food is scarce. Herbivore damage appears as stripped bark at the base of trees or gnawed branch tips.

To avoid this, you can install physical barriers like hardware cloth or plastic mesh guards around trunks. If you have a small ornamental tree, cage the entire tree with chicken wire. These barriers also prevent damage from invasive plants and protect against pests seeking winter shelter.

Proper Mulching for Winter Protection

Mulching insulates roots from temperature fluctuations, retains soil moisture, and protects against frost heaving that can expose and damage shallow roots.

Keep mulch in a ring extending to the tree’s drip line and around 6 inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup, bark decay, and rodent problems. This donut-shaped application (not a volcano piled against the trunk) allows for proper air circulation while insulating roots.

Winter Pruning for Tree Health and Structure

Winter is an ideal season for dormant tree pruning. With leaves gone, you can clearly see branch structure and identify dead, diseased, or broken branches that compromise tree health.

However, not all trees should be pruned in winter. For help identifying what trees should be pruned, structural pruning, major cuts, or work on large trees, hire a certified arborist. Improper pruning techniques can cause permanent damage and create entry points for disease. Our comprehensive guide on winter tree pruning covers proper techniques and timing in detail.

Soil Care and Winter Fertilization

Healthy soil is the foundation of healthy trees. It’s important that the soil is protected from compaction and road salt damage while preparing for spring growth. Moreover, it’s always best to get a professional soil analysis prior to applying any fertilizer or soil amendment to ensure optimum tree and plant health.

Fall Fertilization Timing

Apply slow-release fertilizer in late fall after trees have dropped their leaves but before the ground freezes solid. This allows nutrients to slowly penetrate soil over winter, becoming available when roots resume active growth in early spring. Slow-release formulations prevent nutrient runoff and provide steady nourishment without forcing new growth vulnerable to frost damage.

Preventing Salt Damage

Rock salt and calcium chloride used for de-icing driveways and walkways cause serious soil and root damage. Excess salt draws moisture from roots through osmosis, essentially dehydrating trees. Salty soil also prevents roots from absorbing water and nutrients, leading to brown needles or leaves, stunted spring growth, and branch dieback.

If salt damage occurs, flush affected soil with water during spring thaws to dilute salt concentrations. Thankfully, soil aeration in spring helps restore proper drainage and root function, while spring seeding can repair damaged lawn areas around trees.

Inspecting Trees for Winter Damage and Pests

Regular inspections catch problems before they become serious. Check trees after major winter storms and during milder weather when you can safely examine them.

What to Look for When Inspecting Trees in Winter

• Broken twigs and branches hanging in the canopy or already fallen
• Bark cracks and splits on the trunk, especially on the south and southwest sides
• Sunken bark or discolored bark indicating decay beneath the surface
• Holes in the trunk from woodpeckers or borers taking advantage of stressed trees
• Peeling bark that exposes inner wood to moisture and disease
• Brown needles on evergreens or unusually brittle branches

While most tree insects and diseases are dormant in winter, some pests hide in bark crevices or beneath mulch.

Professional Winter Tree Care Services

While homeowners can handle basic winter tree care, some situations require professional expertise and equipment.

When to Call a Certified Arborist

• Trees show extensive storm damage or large broken limbs
• Pruning requires working above ground level or near power lines
• You’re uncertain about tree health or disease identification
• Trees need structural support through cabling or bracing
• Large trees require dormant pest treatment

Winter Tree Care Checklist

Use this checklist to stay on top of winter tree care tasks

Late Fall (November)

• Water trees thoroughly before ground freezes
• Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around tree bases
• Wrap trunks of young or thin-barked trees
• Apply first round of anti-desiccant spray to evergreens
• Soil Analysis
• Apply slow-release fertilizer
• Schedule winter pruning consultation

Mid-Winter (December-February):

• Monitor trees after ice and snowstorms
• Gently brush light snow from branches
• Water during warm spells when soil thaws
• Apply second round of anti-desiccant spray (late January)
• Prune deciduous trees (especially oaks during December and February)
• Apply dormant oil to control overwintering pests (late February)

Late Winter (March):

• Inspect for bark cracks, broken branches, and storm damage
• Remove tree wraps before spring growth begins
• Assess salt damage and plan soil remediation
• Schedule spring pruning for early bloomers

Protect Your Trees This Winter

Indiana winters are tough on trees, but proactive care keeps your landscape healthy and safe. From proper watering and mulching to strategic pruning and protection from salt damage, these winter tree care practices prepare your trees for vigorous spring growth.

Not sure where to start? Townsend Arborcare’s certified arborists provide comprehensive winter tree assessments and 24/7 emergency and storm response. We serve residential and commercial properties throughout Indianapolis and surrounding Indiana communities with expert tree care backed by science and decades of experience.

Contact Townsend Arborcare for your free winter assessment today. Let us help you protect your trees through winter, so they thrive for years to come.